Larry Gentilello, MD, has filed a lawsuit against Dallas' University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center for demoting him after complaining about laidback supervision of residents and billing fraud, according to a report by the Dallas Morning News.
Dr. Gentilello, who was chair of the burn, trauma and critical care division of UT Southwestern's surgery department, argues in his lawsuit that came forward to his boss, Robert Rege, MD, with concerns about the culture of lax supervision over residents during surgical procedures for which Medicare cannot be billed for unless there is a faculty physician supervising. After coming forward, Dr. Gentilello was demoted, and he argues it was in retaliation for voicing his concerns.
UT Southwestern Medical Center moved to have the suit dismissed, claiming Dr. Gentilello did not quality as a whistleblower; however, the court found that the physician's alert to Dr. Rege was sufficient enough.
The medical center is denying any wrongdoing in this case.
Read the Dallas Morning News's report on the UT Southwestern Medical Center lawsuit.
Read more coverage on healthcare lawsuits:
- Lawsuit Challenges Ban on Physician-Owned Hospitals in Health Reform Law
- Judge Refuses Federal Request for Delay of Health Reform Laws
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Dr. Gentilello, who was chair of the burn, trauma and critical care division of UT Southwestern's surgery department, argues in his lawsuit that came forward to his boss, Robert Rege, MD, with concerns about the culture of lax supervision over residents during surgical procedures for which Medicare cannot be billed for unless there is a faculty physician supervising. After coming forward, Dr. Gentilello was demoted, and he argues it was in retaliation for voicing his concerns.
UT Southwestern Medical Center moved to have the suit dismissed, claiming Dr. Gentilello did not quality as a whistleblower; however, the court found that the physician's alert to Dr. Rege was sufficient enough.
The medical center is denying any wrongdoing in this case.
Read the Dallas Morning News's report on the UT Southwestern Medical Center lawsuit.
Read more coverage on healthcare lawsuits:
- Lawsuit Challenges Ban on Physician-Owned Hospitals in Health Reform Law
- Judge Refuses Federal Request for Delay of Health Reform Laws
- HHS Files Motion to Dismiss Virginia Challenge to Insurance Mandate